Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Help Deciding on #6 vs #8 on 96 180hp auto truck?

[EBottema]

My dad wants a fuel plate in his truck. It is a 96 12v Auto truck with the 180HP california pump. EGR has been deleted. Already has AFE stage 1 and magnaflow full exhaust. Otherwise truck is stock with 215k miles, stock transmission too. Runs good but wants more power. He doesnt drive it like a mad man, mainly a daily driver, he just wants some more passing power and more get up and go power.



We were thinking #6 but I'm just worried about the transmission. What do you guys think?



Erik

 

[TGibbs]

BDpower.com is very conservative on plates and stock trannys. I think they recommend upgrading the transmission with both of those plates.

 

[EBottema]

#6 is 250/630 and #8 is 230/605...

Just looked at BD and TST recommendations.

TST says both are okay for stock trans and BD says that #6 will not hold up to that rating. .



Erik

 

[MUDDY]

my 97 2500 had a #6 w/ a stock 130,000 mile 47re. no slippage. held good. i bombed the trans as i wanted to go a #4



id do the #6 but just drive it right and dont get into it w/ a load at lower rpm

 

[champspa]

I pull a heavy trailer with a tractor 14400 lbs not including truck , a number 8 pushed forward and a 4" exhaust is the formula that has been working for me . plus some transmission mods

 

[DHorstman]

Stock trans with 172K and doesn't like the extra power anymore :{ . Had the #6 plate in for about 15K along with 3K GSK and 4" exhaust was already in place. Plate and GSK were from Piers IIRC. Most of the miles were on stock 245 tires, now 285s. T/C can handle very little TQ in OD anymore.



My opinion would be try the GSK first and see if the extra RPMs make it more fun first.

 

[GrantP]

Otherwise truck is stock with 215k miles, stock transmission too. Runs good but wants more power.



We were thinking #6 but I'm just worried about the transmission. What do you guys think?



Erik

Just another way to consider this... a stock auto with 215k is not long for this world anyway whether you leave it alone or you put in a 6 or 8 plate. Get the power you want and keep the pending rebuild in mind.

 

[PKemp]

Solely from experience running a CTD fleet, the #6 with a stock transmission and any power mods means eventual problems with a stock transmission.

A. 3k or 4k GSK and 16° timming. (Stock transmission)

B. 3k or 4k GSK, AFC, TST #10 plate and 16° timming. (Stock transmission)

Borderline on stock transmission

C. 4k GSK, AFC, TST #6 plate, 16 to 19° timming

Anything after this would need a true Aftermarket transmission



Considering the miles on it, fix the transmission issue and then you can go anywhere from there.